The so-called Can Van is a mobile canning solution for small breweries who are looking for a cost-effective way to expand their packaging options and enter new retail distribution channels.

"It's a nice way for smaller pubs like ourselves without the space and equipment to get our brand out there to a larger public," said Jason Chavez, brew master at Seabright Brewery in Santa Cruz.

If a larger operation were to can their product, they'd have to can thousands of cans of beer and take the entire process out of their hands.

"And then your beer isn't local anymore. So if you want to have your beer brewed locally, packaged locally, sold locally, this is the best way to do it," Can Van co-founder Jenn Coyle.

Seabright Brewery began this process late last year when they had 167 cases -- or 2,400 beers -- canned.

It proved so successful, they decided to do it again. It's a trend that's happening across the country.

"There's been a huge explosion around the country of people starting up a similar kind of business model to be able to try canning to breweries that otherwise don't have the space or capitol," said Can Van co-founder Lindsey Herrema.

Larger breweries like Uncommon Brewers in Santa Cruz have space and more craft beer to sell, but they welcome the competition from small pubs and breweries.

"It's kind of cool to see these smaller can companies doing labeling and allowing more brewing companies to join on the can band wagon," said Alec Stefansky of Uncommon Brewers.

Also, as canned craft beer becomes more accessible along the Central Coast, consumers can incorporate their favorite craft beverage into outdoor activities like fishing or boating in places that ban glass beverage containers.